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7 Ways to Sabotage The Sale of Your Home

Christopher Clark

Chris Clark is ranked among the top 5% of East Bay Agents...

Chris Clark is ranked among the top 5% of East Bay Agents...

Jun 134 minutes read

Through the years, we’ve worked with countless sellers. The sale of your home relies on a number of factors, and we understand it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. Don’t let these traps sabotage the sale of your home.

We’re here as a resource for this potentially stressful transaction to be a smooth sail from listing to closing.

Mistake #1 - Not knowing the local market

Knowing how much homes in your neighborhood have sold for gives you a good idea of how much you should list your home for. Overpricing can leave your home on the market for longer than anticipated, putting things on hold. We keep track of the neighborhood statistics for you, so you’ll always be up to date.

Mistake #2 - Overlooking easy fixes before the appraisal

Pass home inspection with flying colors! Appraisers are human, too and can be swayed by how pristine your home looks. Low cost updates throughout your home, especially in the kitchen, bathroom, family room and the overall curb appeal, can boost your appraisal. Be sure to keep a record of all major home renovations!

Mistake #3 - Keeping the clutter

First impressions are long lasting. You may be blind to your home’s disorganization but it will be the first thing a buyer will notice. When a buyer is serious about a home, they will want to see every inch of it. Don’t forget to clear out closets, drawers, and all those small places where clutter can build up.

Mistake #4 - Poor photography

When most home buyers begin their search online, photos are your home’s first impression. Instead of using your iPhone, we hire a professional photographer to show your house on it’s “best” day. Professionally staging your home paints a picture for potential buyers, which is a service we’re happy to offer.

Mistake #5 - Weak marketing strategy

Most sellers don’t work with realtors who have a strong online presence. When you sell with us, we make sure your home gains maximum exposure to potential sellers. Our website and email blasts, coupled with our use of targeted Facebook marketing, allows our properties to reach thousands.

Mistake #6 - Selling your home FSBO (for sale by owner) & not using an agent

Some think selling a home on their own is easy, but at the end of the day, you’ll need the help of an expert. Not only will we provide invaluable market insight, but we’ll help through all the paperwork and negotiate for you. Homes also tend to sell for more when working with a realtor. (According to NAR, FSBOs accounted for 8% of home sales in 2016. The typical FSBO home sold for $190,000 compared to $249,000 for agent-assisted home sales.)

#7 - Life happens

Cold feet or a change of heart? This is one area where sellers have minimal control, and most of the responsibility is on the buyer. Some need to make a big purchase right before closing, which can cause their loan to fall through. Some things are out of your control… but we’re here to ensure everything in our control goes smoothly.